The third (and perhaps final?) installment of the Museum of Terror series is truly the most heartrending of them all. For some inexplicable reason, Tomie is nowhere to be found in any of the short stories, which has deeply disappointed me.

The first story, along with a few others, managed to evoke a greater sense of fear and morbid curiosity within me compared to the second book. This is precisely why it receives a higher rating. Although it still retains a hint of the gory charm present in the previous two installments, the absence of Tomie makes it read more like a traditional Japanese horror story rather than the bloody and vile masterpiece it ought to be.

And perhaps this makes me sound strange, but quite frankly, I couldn't care less. I still find myself drawn to these tales of horror, eager to see what other macabre wonders they have in store.

Despite the lack of Tomie, there is still something undeniably captivating about this collection of stories. They have the power to send shivers down your spine and make you question the boundaries of your own sanity.

So, even though this installment may not be perfect, it still has its own unique allure that keeps readers coming back for more.

I didn't find it scary at all.

However, these were truly weird and had a kind of whimsical nature to them, which was also a little bit disturbing.

It was a good quick read that came with really good arts.

The combination of the strange and the somewhat disturbing made it an interesting experience.

The arts added an extra layer of depth and atmosphere to the whole thing.

Despite not being scary, it managed to capture my attention and hold it throughout the short read.

It was one of those things that you don't expect to be as engaging as it turns out to be.

The weirdness and the whimsy blended together in a unique way that made it stand out.

Overall, it was a pleasant surprise and a good way to spend a short amount of time.

Story ~ 4/5

Art ~ 4/5

Originality ~ 5/5

Overall ~ 4.3/5

I discovered that this served as a suitable conclusion to the Museum of Terror series. However, it was perhaps a touch on the long side. I noticed that once the stories began to lengthen approximately halfway through, my interest in them started to wane. Nevertheless, the final two stories were truly remarkable and might even be my favorites within this volume. The first few stories had their moments, but as they dragged on, I found myself losing a bit of enthusiasm. Yet, when it came to the last two, they managed to reignite my passion for the series and left a lasting impression. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but overall, it's still a worthy addition to the Museum of Terror collection.

Out of the entire series, I firmly believed that this installment had the weakest stories.

Surprisingly, there was no central theme this time around. It was just a hodgepodge of completely different stories without any fundamental united thread.

The stories themselves were somewhat okay. There were one or two that truly stood out. For instance, "The Unbearable Maze" was actually pretty great.

It served as a decent way to randomly kill some time. However, it wasn't something that was so captivating that it was extremely hard to put down.

Overall, it was a rather average addition to the series, lacking the cohesion and impact that the previous ones might have had.

When Junji met scary, does it rhyme? Maybe not, eh :-)

Suima no heya was my all-time favorite. The way the two of them were trying to pull the fingers back out was so hilarious. It was like a comical scene from a horror movie, with their expressions of shock and panic.

Yane ura no nagakami was the creepiest. The way the rats were entangled in the hair was truly disturbing. It sent shivers down my spine just imagining it. Yeouw.....

Chichi no kokoro was....sad. It was a story that tugged at the heartstrings, making me feel a sense of empathy for the characters.

Overall, Junji Ito's works are a unique blend of horror, comedy, and drama. His ability to create such vivid and memorable stories is truly remarkable. Whether it's the terrifying images or the emotional depth of the characters, his manga always manages to leave a lasting impression.

The writing in this piece may not be overly remarkable or outstanding.

However, what truly stands out are the stories and the accompanying artwork. They are creepy to an extreme degree.

The stories have the power to send shivers down your spine and make you feel a sense of unease.

The artwork further enhances this creepy atmosphere, adding another layer of depth and vividness to the overall experience.

Despite the creepiness, it is also a highly entertaining read.

It keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat, eager to see what will happen next.

Overall, it offers a unique combination of entertainment and unsettling elements that make it a worthwhile read for those who enjoy a bit of the creepy and the unusual.

Japan is a land that is full of unique and often spooky elements. The concept of "weirdness" in Japan can range from the supernatural to the simply strange. There are traditional folktales filled with ghosts, demons, and otherworldly beings that have been passed down through generations. These stories have influenced Japanese culture in many ways, from art and literature to film and television.

One of the most well-known examples of spooky Japanese weirdness is the concept of yokai. Yokai are a diverse group of supernatural creatures that can take on many different forms, such as animals, plants, or humanoid figures. Some yokai are benevolent, while others are malevolent and cause trouble for humans. The study of yokai, known as yokaigaku, has become a popular field of research in Japan.

In addition to yokai, there are also many other spooky phenomena in Japan, such as haunted houses, cursed objects, and strange disappearances. These events have captured the imagination of people around the world and have contributed to the country's reputation for being a place of mystery and the unknown.

Tomie is a truly terrifying Lovecraftian monstrosity. She inhabits the body of a breathtakingly beautiful girl, which she uses to her advantage. With just a single glance, she can seduce nearly any man, driving them to the brink of madness with lust and envy. This often leads to brutal murders, with the victims usually being Tomie herself.

Countless individuals, both men and women, have fallen prey to Tomie's supernatural allure. And Tomie herself has endured hundreds of atrocities as a result. However, the world soon discovers that no matter how many times they kill her, she always comes back.

The story commences with Tomie seducing her teacher and a group of male students. They descend into a frenzy of rage and lust, brutally dismembering her corpse and scattering the pieces by a river, all while fighting among themselves like wild animals. But Tomie's reign of terror doesn't end there. The very next day, she shows up at school, ready to drive everyone insane once again. It turns out that chopping her up didn't kill her; instead, it allowed her to divide and spread like a cancer.

The book consists of a series of stand-alone stories centered around the many replicas of Tomie. Each story reveals a different facet of this monstrous girl. She appears as the daughter of a mourning elderly couple, a narcissistic model for a wannabe millionaire painter, a perverted child seducer, and a medical experiment gone wrong. We see numerous faces of Tomie, and we can never be certain which one is the real her. She combines the traits of every mythological seductress, such as sirens, succubi, lamias, Lilith, and Medusa.

Tomie is an enigma. She heals instantly when sliced open, and if cut into a hundred pieces, each piece will regenerate and develop its own form and personality. At first, we might view her as a victim due to the brutal way she is murdered. But as we learn more about her, it becomes clear that she seems to want to be killed repeatedly. She is intentionally cruel, manipulative, and psychotic, switching between playing the damsel in distress and happily ruining the lives of innocent people. She deliberately pushes people to their limits, deriving sick pleasure from the chaos she creates as the world goes mad with lust for her beauty.

Tomie was the first manga Junji Ito ever published, so it does show its age at times, especially in the beginning. However, the art, quality, and storytelling improve significantly as the story progresses. It's still an excellent first work and gives a taste of Ito's unique brand of weirdness and brutality. If you're new to Ito, I would recommend Uzumaki first, but Tomie is definitely worth checking out.

Another piece of art. :)

Art has always been a source of inspiration and beauty. It has the power to evoke emotions, tell stories, and make us see the world from a different perspective.

This particular piece of art is no exception. It catches the eye with its unique style and composition. The colors used are bold and vibrant, creating a sense of energy and excitement.

The artist has skillfully combined different elements to form a harmonious whole. Every detail seems to have been carefully thought out, adding depth and meaning to the piece.

Whether you are an art lover or not, it is hard not to be impressed by this work. It invites you to look closer, to explore its hidden meanings, and to let your imagination run wild.

Another piece of art that enriches our lives and makes the world a more beautiful place.

So while the first two volumes of this series is just about Tomie, this one is a true anthology of stories.

Some are good, while others are crap. Many of them are more psychological horror, but a few lean towards the grotesque a bit. There's nothing super scary here, but it's enough to possibly give a person uncomfortable tingles.

The first story started off in a corny manner. I was literally cracking up at the blood splurtage. I was a bit worried that I was about to get into some gore-comedy. However, after that first one, the humor dies off and the creepy factors start to set in.

Each story is vastly different and touches on things like mental disorders, mind control, demons, ghosts, and more. It's an interesting mix that keeps the reader engaged and on their toes.

Overall, this anthology has its highs and lows, but it's still worth a read for fans of horror.

This has been an extremely enjoyable read following a period of delving into Ito's later book-length works.

Not only is the drawing style delightfully simpler, as if (one imagines) the smudges still linger on the page, but the characters are more stereotypical, the endings quicker, and the situations more absurd.

Now, upon rereading this, I realize it might sound negative, but in fact, I feel quite the contrary: this is precisely where some of the collection's strength lies.

I recall some perhaps apocryphal story about early Chekhov stories, where someone read them and said, "Hey Chekhov, your talent is far too good for such silly tales. I can already perceive the genius within them."

The same holds true for early Ito. So, I would say to both of them: What you are observing is not merely a glimmer of genius. It is genius itself. Genius has the capacity to be a part of even the silliest of things.

My library had a copy of this older collection,

so I decided to give it a try.

Unfortunately, I had already read these stories from the more recent published collections.

These stories are of a more psychological horror nature,

less focused on the grotesque.

They truly display the wide range of ideas that Ito comes up with.

Ito's creativity is evident in the way he crafts these tales,

taking the reader on a journey through the depths of the human psyche.

The older collection offers a different perspective on his work,

allowing readers to see the evolution of his ideas over time.

Despite having read the stories before,

I still found myself captivated by Ito's unique style and the haunting atmosphere he creates.

It's a testament to his talent as a horror writer that his work can be enjoyed again and again.